Net Gains For Managers

RESOURCES

CII PLATFORM

This is the site for the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). What's on offer here is mostly predictable. There is a listing and detailed description of all the services offered by the confederation, a calendar of workshops and seminars to be held during the year and an archive of industry and CII-related news.

To the uninitiated, CII is a "non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organisation." Founded over 100 years ago, it has around 4150 companies as its direct members and an indirect membership of nearly 50,000 companies from regional and sectoral associations. The CII has 30 offices in India, nine overseas and a tenth office is set to be operational soon in Hong Kong, according to the website.

The site does not have much for a student or a researcher looking for information on Indian industry. It has a guide to how the association works to push across industry problems, wish lists with the government and the official industry stand on a host of policy-related issues. In its own words: "It (CII) provides a platform for sectoral consensus building and networking. Major emphasis is laid on projecting a positive image of business, assisting industry identify and execute corporate citizenship programmes."

www.ciionline.org

FOR BUSINESS ENTHUSIASTS

The site is set up by the British Chambers of Commerce. It is a collection of policy-related articles, business and trade information. Almost everything on this site is the stand that the British Chambers of Commerce takes as one of Britain and even perhaps, Europe's leading lobby groups. The site is worth browsing if you are looking for matters and ideas that influence business and trade in Europe.

For the pure business enthusiast, there is a lot of information. For instance, a number of themes such as employment, trade, business practices, etc are dwelt upon in detail, albeit from the organisation's point of view. The student/researcher would also benefit from the surveys and articles.

The British Chambers of Commerce declares itself as one of the most influential business lobby groups in the UK. And almost all the material and information online is geared to present the view taken by this lobby group. This may seem like a deterrent, but then again, there is so much data and information here that it is quite beneficial.

The site has a 'press centre' which, is quite an useful resource too. Though some of the articles may have a distinct bias, they bring you to the current and controversial in British industry. Chamberonline.Org also offers a free newsletter that is available on registration which promises to bring regular updates of business and life in the UK.

www.chamberonline.co.uk

INFORMATION MINE

Eurochambres is the association of more than 1500 chambers of businesses in Europe. Based in Belgium, the association says that its network extends to more than 36 countries and that it is considered as one of the strongest lobby groups for European business.

The information presented here, like that in the other business associations' sites reviewed here, comes with a twist. Chambers of commerce and industry, according to Eurochambres "have two main tasks: to advise governments on local, regional and national levels and to provide services for businesses across all sectors". This is reflected in the surveys/news and policy-based articles that are put up.

There is a lot here that one can use. The news library, for instance, is comprehensive. The surveys that have been summarised here are a mine of information. The site is easy to navigate with the channels clearly demarcated and the topics within each channel well thought out.

www.eurochambers.be, www.eurochambres.be

TOWARDS KNOWLEDGE

This site is for registered users only. Registration is free and granted immediately once you fill in a long online form about birth, country, etc. Though tedious, it is worth the effort because content on the site is extremely useful for students and managers.

Insead is the website of the widely recognised and popular management institute that is based in Singapore, Asia and France. The institute is known for its business management courses and its executive education programmes. The content on the site reflects its focus on these areas of education.

Most significant is the 'knowledge portal' which is like a virtual library of case studies and modern management theories. Papers by management students, 'how-we-did-it' stories from first-generation entrepreneurs and case studies from well known practitioners and professors of management add immense value to the site.

The site covers a broad band of themes such as change and innovation, corporate development, entrepreneurship, globalisation, green thinking and e-world among others. Each theme has a sheaf of research papers written by experts. The papers make interesting and entertaining reading for everyone.

A registered user is also entitled to a peep into new research and trends in new research being carried out in various research centres and initiatives of the institute - there are 12 of these in all with some big names like 3I Venture Lab, Price Waterhouse Coopers and others in the fold.

www.insead.edu

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS RECKONER

This is an extremely useful site for all interested in doing business in India. It acts as a guide-cum-yellow pages for all matters related to intellectual property-related law in India.

It provides all legal information with respect to trademarks, patents, technology transfers, copyrights, design, bio-diversity and other related issues. It also archives relevant news and maintains a schedule of conventions and seminars in these categories.

The site is free, but to use some of its services such as the directory of Indian patent design and trademark offices, one has to register. Registration is free but a must if you want full access. It also carries a host of WTO-related information such as names of WTO member countries, the dos and don'ts under WTO and its implications for Indian industry.

There is an interesting section or channel called 'Traditional Knowledge'. It deals with all things old and traditional that need to be protected through copyright or trademark law. It provides news about the changes and challenges in this area and has posted an article on the model provisions of a law or set of laws for the same.

The site has been developed by the Centre for Intellectual Property Rights, Research and Advocacy (CIPRA) with the support of NISSAT (National Information System for Science and Technology. CIPRA is under the National Law School of India in Bangalore.

www.bazaarguide.com, www.iprlawindia.com

OFF ROUTINE ASSOCIATIONS

This is an interesting take-off from the routine management associations or chambers of commerce and trade sites that crowd the net. The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is an association for those involved in the management of chambers.

A lot of the information, news and surveys online are narrowly targeted. But for those outside the exclusive lobby club, the site is an eye-opener on how sharply defined and focused the American lobby business is. As for Indian lobbyists, business chambers and companies, the site provides an unique and effective way of working with the government on policy issues.

Also, home-grown business chambers would gain from the way in which the association markets itself. Products, seminars, online directories and guides to new markets - these are all online. Access is free for members only.

www.uschamber.org, www.acce.org

(This article appeared in the June 2002 issue of Indian Management magazine).